Cosmetic container



Apk-13 Z8, 1953 R. B. HoPGooD oosME'rIc CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet l FiledMarch 2, 1950 FIG. 2.

I INVENTR Rfl HOPGOUD ..7454444415!!!lllllllllllll s l am,

ATTORNEYS Apnl 28, 1953 R. B. HoPGooD 2,636,598 x COSMETIC CONTAINERFiled March 2, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORN EYS April 28, 1953 R. B.HoPGooD COSMETIC CONTAINER 3 Shee's-Sheet 5 Filed March 2 1950 FIG. l2

lNvENToR ROBE/Pr B. 11a/600D A oRNEYs Patented Apr. 28, 1953 COSMETICCONTAINER- Robert B. Hopgood, Cheshire, Conn., assignor to The EyeletSpecialty Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of ConnecticutApplication March 2, 1950, Serial No. 147,294

(Cl. 20G-56) 21 Claims.

My invention relates to lconstructions for double-ended cosmetic or thelike containers.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved constructions ofthe character indicated.

It is another object to provide an improved double-ended cosmetic-container with a common carrier and with common propulsion means forthe carrier so that the same propulsion means may serve whichever end ofthe container is Kto be utilized.

It is also an object to provide a double-ended cosmetic container withmeans to prevent lipstick propulsion against a lclosed end of thecontainer and to permit lipstick propulsion only out of an open end ofthe container.

1t is a further object to provide an open-ended cosmetic container witha common carrier for two oppositely facing lipsticks or the like andwith means whereby the parts to be grasped for propulsion of onelipstick out of one end are manually actuated for propulsion andretraction of said one lipstick in the same respective relativedirections as are the exposed manually actuable parts to be grasped andactuated for propulsion of the other lipstick out the other end of saidcontainer.

It is a specic object of the invention to provide a double-endedlipstick construction analogous to the conventional single-endedarrangement that is widely known as the four-piece containerconstruction.

It is another specific object of the invention to provide a double-endedlipstick construction analogous to the conventional single-endedarrangement that is widely known as the threepiece containerconstruction.

It is a general object to meet the above objects with a constructionthat is simple to make and to use and which involves a minimum ofadditional parts over conventional single-ended lipstick constructions.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention willbe pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a readingof the following specication in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only,preferred forms of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a double-ended lipstick containeraccording to the invention,

shown with one of two closure :caps removed and with a lipstick or thelike in a propelled position, projecting out the open end of thecontainer;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lcarrier in the construction ofFigs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner tubular member of theconstruction of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of two further parts of the construction ofFigs. 1 and 2, showing their relation to each other when assembled;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating amodified arrangement of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the same parts as are shown in Fig. 5but for utilization in the modication of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a furthermodification;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective detail of a part of themodication of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a very much enlarged sectional View more for less in theplane lil-I0 of Fig. 9, certain arcuate parts being shown at forpurposes of simplification;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a construction representingan alternative of the construction oi Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged double-sectional view of the alternative`construction of Fig. 11, the section being taken substantially in theplanes represented by the line I2--l2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of parts which may be utilized in theconstruction of Fig. 11; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the alternative construction of Fig.11, with one closure cap removed as in Fig. 1.

Briefly stated, my invention contemplates an open-ended lipstick or thelike container construction in which a single propelling mechanism mayselectively propel one lipstick out one end of the container and anotherlipstick out the other end of the container; by open-ended, I mean agenerally-tubular construction open or openable at both ends thereof.Closure means may be provided for selectively closing the open ends ofthe container. Various means may cooperate with the closure means so asto assure that the lipstick which may be projected out the closed endwill not be driven against the closure means of the closed end, and toassure that lipstick propulsion will be possible only out of an open endof the container. Such means may be arranged to assure that when bothends of the container are closed the propulsive mechanism will beineective, or, stated in other Words, no externally accessible parts maybe effective to propel either lipstick when both ends of the containerare closed.

My constructions may utilize a single propulsive mechanism employing buttwo relatively diverging cam means, each continuously formed with asingle direction or slope. Thus, for one true relative rotation of themembers supporting the cam means, there will be only one true axialdirection of resulting carrier propulsion; similar- 1y, for any truerelative rotation in the opposite l direction, there will be only onetrue direction of resulting carrier propulsion, and, of course, thelatter propulsion will be in the direction opposite to the former. Inspite of this characteristic of the propulsive mechanism, I havearranged the container elements in such a way that, regardless of thecontainer end from which the closure means is removed, propulsion andretraction of a lipstick or the like out the thenopen end may beachieved with consistent natural relative twists of the hands.

Two alternative general forms of the invention are shown and specicallydescribed. One of these constructions may be viewed as an analogy of theconventional so-called four-piece container construction for singlelipsticks or singleended containers; the other form may be viewed as anvanalogy of the so-called three-piece construction for such containers.In the first form of the four-piece construction to be described, theclosure means for the respective ends of the container arefree-swiveling, and lipstick propul-v sion is only possible afterremoval of the closure means for one end, to expose the manually actueated propulsion means. In the other four-piece constructions the closurecaps are both utilized as manually accessible driving elements for thepropulsion mechanism, and dogging means actuated by placement of therespective closure caps serves to prevent driving a lipstick against aclosed end of the container While permitting propulsion out an open end.In the three-piece construction shown, a closure cap is also utilized asa manually operated means for propelling a lipstick out an open end.

Referring to Figs. l to 5 of the drawings, my invention is shown inapplication to a doubleended lipstick or the like container which may besaid to be analogous to a conventional socalled four-piece constructionfor singleended lipsticks. As such, the container may include a carrierl5 longitudinally slidable Within an inner tubular member I6, and theinner tubular member I6 may be rotatable within and relatively to asleeve member Il'. The carrier I 5 may -be open at both ends and piercedaxially centrally, preferably from opposite sides, so that two radiallyinwardly facing lugs 18-1 9 may be formed to determine bottom-limitingpositions for two separate inserted lipsticks 2li-2i; for conservationof axial space the lugs lil-I9 may be formed in the same radial plane.

I8-I9 are preferably made from oppositeaxial directions so that, nomatter which end of the carrier l5 first receives one of the lipsticks23-2 l, there may be an air vent (viaone of the piercing openingsl8'-l9) to permit ready'insertionoi` The piercings for lugs the other oflipsticks Ztl-2|, thus completing the lipstick-inserted carrierassembly. As is conventional, cam-follower means in the form of aneyelet 22 may be drifted out of an axially central part of the main tubeof carrier l5; but for a purpose Which will later be clear, I preferthat the eyelet 22 shall be formed after partial assembly, as, forexample, after the carrier l5 has been inserted into the inner tubularmember i6.

As is conventional, the eyelet or cam-follower means 22 may projectsufficiently radially for cooperating engagement with relativelydiverging, relatively longitudinally extending cam means in each of thetubular members lG-II so that, upon relative rotation of the tubularmembers It-i l, the carrier I5 will be longitudinally propelled. In theform shown, the inner tubular member l5 is formed with a straight camslot 23 to receive the eyelet 22, and the slot 23 may extendsubstantially the length of the container. In order to preventinadvertent retraction or a projected lipstick during application to thelips, each end of the straight slot 23 may be formed with an angularoiset or extension, as at 2-l for retention of the upper lipstick 2U,and as at 23 for retention of the lower lipstick 2l; it will be notedthat the angular `offsets 24-25 extend in opposite directions, atopposite ends of the carrier-propulsion course.

I'he longitudinal ends of the inner tubular member may be formed tocooperate with the lon*- gitudinal ends of the sleeve member Il so vasto provide axial retention of these two parts, and in the form shown thelongitudinal ends of the inner tubular member i6 each include enlargedrims or bases 25-2'd defining radial ledges 23-29 in radial overlappingrelation with the ends of the sleeve Il. For a purpose which will laterbe clear, I prefer that both ends 26-2l of the inner tubular member I6shall be circumferentially continuously formed so that these ends maynot be radially deformed and so that close radial tolerances may bemaintained for relatively rotating parts. It is for this reason thatprefer that the carrier l5 be rst inserted into the inner tubularmemberland that, after such insertion, the eyelet 2l be drifted out of thecarrier I5 and through the straight slot 23.

The sleeve Il may be of more'or less conventional conilguration and maybe formed from hat sheet material rolled up to an extent that theendedges 39 (Fig. 5) may denne opposite sides of a generally longitudinallyextending slot. If these end edges 3U were cut parallel and on a bias,then they might serve as opposite walls of a spiral cam slot tocooperate with the carnfollower eyelet 22 for propulsion purposes;however, in the form shown, I have separately pierced the material ofsleeve i with a diagonal slot Which when rolled up provides the desiredspiral cam slot 3l.

For actuating purposes, a member may be struck from and bent out of thesleeve l1 to project radially externally of the main body of thecontainer assembly, but, I have shown a separate piece in the form of aring member 32 for this purpose. The ring'32 may be formed of sheetmaterial as are the other parts, but I prefer to employ a solidconstruction for the ring 32 so that the ring 32 may be of moldedplastic or a screw-machine metal part. To establish an angularly lockedrelation with the main body of sleeve II, the ring 32 jmay include aninwardly -facing key or lug 33 to^slide between the opposed rolled-upedges 30 of the sleeve I1. If desired, the outer surface of theactuating ring 32 may be knurled or otherwise roughened, as shown, forimproved finger grip.

To complete the container assembly, I provide externally accessiblemeans for covering the exposed parts of the sleeve I1 and forestablishing a driving relation with the inner tubular member I5. Suchexternal means may involve an outer tubular casing 34 for one end of thecontainer and an outer tubular casing 35 for the other end of thecontainer. When assembled to the container, the casings 34-35 preferablyclosely t the enlarged ends 26-21 of the inner tubular member I6 forprimary support thereon, and to assure the desired driving engagementwith the inner tubular member I6, spring nibs 36 may be punched out ofthe casing members 34-35 for a snap-lock engagement with suitable slots3l punched in the enlarged ends 26-21 of the inner tubular member.

The construction thus far described may be assembled in the followingorder. First, a straight tubular carrier piece I5 (i. e. without eyelet22) is inserted in the inner tubular member I E. Second, the eyelet 22is drifted out of the carrier I5 and through the straight slot 23.Third, the rolled-up sleeve is sprung open and slipped over one of theenlarged ends 23-21 of the inner tubular member I3, care being takenthat the eyelet 22 is passed into the spiral slot 3| before the sleevebecomes retained against both ledges 28-23 of the inner tubular memberI6. Fourth, the sleeve Il is rotated on the inner tubular member I6 foralignment of the straight slot between walls 3B with an inwardlydepressed entrance groove 33 formed in a part of the periphery of one(21) of the enlarged ends 23-2'1 of the inner tubular member. Fifth, theactuating ring 32 is slipped over the enlarged end 21, the key 33 pass-ling through the entrance groove 38 and into the straight slot betweenwalls 30. Sixth, the outer tubular casing members 34-35 are slipped overopposite ends of the inner tubular members I6 and locked thereto, at36-3L It will be appreciated that when the outer tubular casing members34--35 have been inserted and locked in the described manner, theactuating ring 32 may be sufficiently retained axially.

As indicated generally above, I provide closure means for selectivelyclosing the two ends of the container. In the form shown, two tubularclosure members or caps may perform this function, and I have shown oneof these caps 40 over the end of the container through which thelipstick 2| is to be projectable. I desire, however, that means shall beprovided whereby the lipstick 2| shall not be inadvertently drivenagainst the inside or end 4| of the closure cap 40, and at the sametime, of course, such means cannot interfere with desired propulsion ofthe lipstick 2l out the open end of the container. For the case shown,the closure cap 43 is free-swiveling as far as any engagement with otherparts of the described mechanism may be concerned, and propulsion oflipstick 2l) may be accomplished upon grasping the actuating ring 32,say, with the right hand, and upon grasping the outer tubular casingmember 34, say, with the left hand, propulsion of the open end of thecontainer being eifected upon a right-handed twist of the hands, andretraction being effected upon a lefthanded twist of the hands.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, means may be provided incooperation with a placed closure cap 40 for not only assuring againstdownward propulsion of the lipstick 2| against the end 4| of the closurecap, but for .also lightly frictionally holding the closure cap inplace. Such means may be provided in duplicate at the respective ends ofthe container so that duplicate parts may be employed and so that thesame safety action may be Aavailable when another closure cap (notshown) is applied over the open end vof the container. In the formshown, the means for preventing downward displacement of the carrierlimits carrier movement essentially only to that half of the propulsivestroke which faces the open end of the container. Such means may includea deformable member carried by each outer tubular casing member; in theform shown, a deformable member 42 is struck out of the body of theouter cas-ing member 35, and a deformable member 43 is struck out of theouter casing member 34. Each such deformable member 42-43 may benormally outwardly bent for a gentle, yet rm, resilient, holdingengagement with a closure cap 40, upon capping an open end of thecontainer. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the deformable member 42is thus engaged and therefore inwardly displaced, while suicientlyfirmly holding the closure cap 40 in place; also, it will be noted thatthe deformable member 43 is no-t thus engaged in Fig. 2 and that it is,therefore, in what may be termed a normal radially outwardly displacedposition.

Each of the deformable members 42-43 may be formed with means to be usedin the selective control of the propulsion mechanism, so as to assurepropulsion only through the open end of the container and so as toprevent inadvertent ramming of a lipstick 2| against a closed end 4|.Such means may include a radially inwardly bent dog or lug 44 at the tipor movable end of each of the deformable members 42-43; the radialextent of the dogs 44 is preferably such that in the normally-outposition (as in the case of the deformable member 43) the lug 44 clearsthe outside dimension of the sleeve member and such that for theinwardly depressed -position (as in the case of the deformable member42) the dog lug 44 extends within the maximum outside dimension of thesleeve member I1.

To cooperate with the dog members 44, arcuate slots i5-46 may be punchedout of the sleeve member I9. In the case of the lug 44 for deformablemember 42, the slot 45 extends preferably for an amount suicient topermit free propulsion of the carrier l5 from a central p0- sition, asshown, to a position representing full projection of the upper lipstick20. In retracting lipstick 2D from the projected position, the lug 44 onthe deformable member 42 will at all times ride freely in the sleeveslot 45, until, at the central or retracted carrier position, the end ofslot 45 will intercept the lug 44 of member 42 to prevent furtherretraction (i. e. propulsion toward the closed end 4|) Similarly, in thecase of the other slot 4G, for the lug 44 of deformable member 43, theangular extent is preferably such as to permit limited free propulsionof the carrier I5, as from the central position shown in Fig. 2 to aposition representing full projection of the lower lipstick 2| out thelower end of the container (when the cap 40 is removed from said lowerend).

It will thus be appreciated that the slots 45-46 effectively overlapsubstantially only for that relative angular position of the relativelyrotatable tubular-members f, 6-1 'l which; determines: `the central or'retractedcarrier positiongthat f is,.1the positionsV incwhich thecarrieris` retracted :from n both ends of thescontainer; Removal ofa.clo sure cap: fromone. end while leaving a closurecap y ontheotherendonly permits enoughrelative ro- Y tation. to. propel alipstickoutr thexopenend of the container; whereas, removal of .theclosure capirom the. other=..end.while the:.onegend is closed permitsVpropulsion only'out thethen-open'.

other` end of thecontainer.

t will beznoted ythat-.unless the carrierhas been centrally` placed,asdeterminedby .retracting .propulsion oft the4 carrier until one cf.the'lugs 44 .strikes anfendof one ofthe dog slots145-=45, closurecap.placement willnot be possible xoverf-:the

openend of .they container; the cap` will attempt permit anydrivingpropulsion of the carrier away from itscentral'position. -Bothclosure capsiare I free-swiveling, 'and .any relative rotation thereofor any relative rotation of a cap withrespect to thrusts on thepropulsion'mechanism. .The dogging means 44 may further assureagainst.inad' vertentpropulsionof `a lipstick 'Within a fully closedcontainer.. as will be understood.

In Figs. 6 and '7, I- shoW a modiedarrangement of the four-piecevconstruction which has thus `far been described.- ItY `will berecalled'that', in the arrangements of Figs. 1 and propulsion ofaflipstickY through an'open end ofthe container Was possibleonly'by-grasping the actuating knob -or ring 32 by thefngers of one hand(e. g.V the right hand), bygrasping the exposed outer-tubul lar casing34 with the fingers of the-'other hand (e. g. thev lefty hand), and byproducing righthandedrelativetwist of the hands; thisfrighthanded twistforpropulsion of a lipstick-held true whichever-end ofthe containerwasfopened.

In the arrangement of Figs. 6 and '7, I haveassumed that itmaybe moreconvenient to utilize the closure cap 50 (for-the closed end of thecontainer) as one ofthe vdriving members'for-the propulsion mechanism,and that' the actuating member 32shall be the other driving member. Theinternal arrangementof the container may in all respects `resemble thestructures shownand described in detail in connection with Figs. 1 to 5,except that, if 4propulsion is to be associated with the same relativemanual twist ofthe hands (e. g. right-handed, the direction of relativedivergence of the cam means on the relatively rotatable tubular membersof the propulsion mechanism should be reversed, the angular-dis.-position ofthe dog slots in the sleeve, as well as the directions oftheangular offsets ofthe inner tubularmember, alsobeing revers'edfas willbe clear.

The desired transposition of -slots in the sleeve may be effectedmerely-by a reverse roll-up ofthe same nat sleeve blank as was utilized'for the sleeve I1 of Figs-2 and 5. i -zSuch a sleeve has been labeled|'|"v `iti-Fig. 7, andit will be notedthat/the spiral slot 3|fthereinhas a'progression opposite` 4to,:thatfshovvn in'Figs. 2 and 5, while theeffective angular-coverage of the dog slots 45'-46 has also beenreversed. Deformable, dogging members, as at on the exposed outertubular casing 5L 52,. may in` all respects Vresemble those describedin' conjunction with Fig. 2.

@Meansv may 'be1provided for establishing a.adrivingcrelationshipbetween a closurecap 50 aand the outer tubularcasing which it covers. In

the .form shown, such driving relation is estab- ..lishedf;with noyimpairment of appearance by formingfiutes, as at 53, circumferentiallyaround the base or open end of theclosure caps 58, and .udimples or asimilar progression of iiutes, as at l.5;..54;1.may: be provided at'thebase of each outer .1; tubular casing 52 for-circumferential driving en-;gagement with a closure cap.

n' It will be appreciatedthat with the structure :describedinconnectionwith Figs. 6 and 7, the

20,-y same-relativemanual twistimay be involved in a propulsion of alipstick regardless of the end from uwhichthe; lipstick is to beprojected. Further- =..:more, in view of the dogged nature of the pro-.pulsion mechanism when both closure caps are yin place, noqcarrierpropulsion will be possible as long as the container is closed, eventhough exz Aternally exposed parts of a closed container may, exceptfon-the i simultaneous dogging of slots '+46,- bel in driving relationwith the propul- :70 sion mechanism.

s In certain four-piece constructions, it may be desirable, forappearances sake, that thecircumference of the closure cap shall not besmooth over any part of its length, as, for example, when .longitudinaliiutes vextend the full length of the closure cap, as in the Icase oftheclosure cap 55 of Fig. 8.: It may be desired, again for apwpearancessake, that, when a closure cap has been removed, the exposed outertubular casing 1W-shall. be. as continuously smooth as possible, as

u inthecase ofthe outer tubular casing 56 of Fig; 8. There may be thefurther requirement (asin theV case of Fig. 6) that the closure cap 55shall'be loneof `therneans for manual actua- .:.tionofthe'propulsionmechanism. According to a. feature of the invention,Imay meet all these requirements in asingleiconstruction by provid- 'zing adeformablelug-member which, in addition to establishing the desiredresilient frictional .hold on aplaced closure cap 55 and in additiontoperforming the desired selective dogging func- ;:wtion bymeans of `a,radially inwardly deformed lug,may.also proyide'themeans whereby rotarydrivingengagement between the placed closure l-zcap55 and one of therelatively'rotatable members ofthe propulsion mechanism is achieved.

`-1vIfirdesired,-the'basic structure of Fig, 6 may bezmade toaccommodate a iiuted cap 55, the v.drive .being effected vviaengagementof the lug Gofmember 5| with. one of the spaces between adjacentlflutesof cap 55.l In suchcase, theflutes 5t` on the base of theouter casingvmembers 52 ywill .not be needed and; the casing members 52 ,may beAsmooth, and continuous in appearance, as

kin the case of. casing 56i (Fig. 8) If the Adeformable .lugzmember 5|(Fig. 6) is to be utilized as a .driving member, then the lug 44 thereofshould vloefof sumcient radial extent; that, when inwardly Ydeformedabyplacement of cap 55, it (lug 44') will 'idirectly. abut the .innertubular member I6 before the. cap utes. slip, over, the still outwardlydeformed member 5|. Of course, when cap 55 is not in place over sucha-construction, the de- 1 -formablewlugmember 5| would have to be even7'5 furtheroutward1y:.extended `morder to ride out of slot 46' uponcarrier propulsion out the open end of the container. It will beunderstood that the individual angular dispositions of slots 45'46 withrespect to the cam slot 23 are not critical, and that for purposes ofthe direct'abutment, just described, between lug lill and the surface ofthe inner tubular member I5, the slots IW-45 and the lugs M cooperatingtherewith may be struck. at angularly displaced positions relatively toslot 23, without impairing the selective clogging functions that havebeen already described.

In the form shown in Figs. 8-10 a deformable member 51 is utilized whichneed not project or extend radially out of the casing 55 to the eX- tentnecessary with the above described use of lug member I (Fig. 6). Thedeformable member 51 may, however, also be struck out of the material ofthe outer tubular casing 55, as from a generally L-shaped blank, withthe upper end of the main stem of the L remaining integral with the bodyof the outer tubular member 58. The main stem of the L may then bemerely bumped or crimped, as at 58, to form a projection to ride in oneof the pockets or recesses 59 (Fig. 10) between adjacent flutes of aclosure cap 55. On the hump 5S, the side or edge 65 which faces the openend of the container is preferably lower (that is, less raised out ofthe body of casing 56) that the side or edge 5l which faces the centerof the container. The hump 53 is thus longitudinally sloped, and thesloping may be achieved by a bend of the free end of the L, in alongitudinal direction, toward the longitudinal center of the container,after initial formation of the hump 58. When the L-shaped member 51 hasbeen thus displaced, the heel 52 thereof preferably overstands afooting, which may be part of the main body of the outer tubular casing55.

The dogging lug LM" may be formed simultaneously with one of Jrheabove-described bending operations, by merely inwardly bending the toeof the L, as shown in detail in Fig. 9. The length of the do-g lug 44"in the radially inward direction is preferably such that, in the normaloutwardly displaced position shown in Fig. 9, the lug 44 clears theouter surface of the sleeve I1', while, at the same time, the heel 62 isspaced slightly radially outwardly of the surface of the outer tubularcasing 5S. The extent of this spacing is preferably such that when aclosure cap 55 is placed over the open end of the container, the hump 58will engage a recess 59 between adjacent flutes and will serve to camthe member 51 radially inwardly, substantially into abutment with theouter surface of the outer tubular casing 56, as at the heel 52. Whenthus inwardly driven, the lug lill" is preferably in engagement with oneof the dog slots i6 in the sleeve l1.

It will be clear that the described deformable member 51 may not onlyperform the dogging functions and the cap-holding functions described inconnection with the other deformable members I3-5l (Figs. 1 and 6), butthat rotary driving engagement may be effective between flutes of theclosure cap 55 and the hump 58. This driving engagement may be positivedue to the limiting (at 52) of radially inward displacement of themember 51 and, since such displacement is limited before any part ofmember 51 can strike the'outer surface of the sleeve I1', there will beno binding of relatively rotating parts so as to impair operation of thepropulsion mechanism. It will be noted that, if the leading edge 60 ofthe deformable member 51 is formedV with 4a suiciently negligible radialelevation out of the surface of the outer casing 56 and if such edge 60is slightly rounded (as will naturally occur in a stamping or piercingoperation), the entrance of a cap over the member 51 may be non-foulingand therefore not destructive of the member 51.

If desired, structural stability of the member 51 may be enhanced by soforming the lug 44 that, when the hump 58 has been raised andlongitudinally twisted as shown, the lug 44" will be substantiallyimmediately adjacent the back Wall 53 of the piercing opening for themember 51. For purposes of clarity in Fig. 9 this relationship may notbe immediately apparent, but it will be understood that axial movementof the lug 44" upon placement of the closure cap may be limited byabutment of lug 44 against the back edge 53 of the piercing opening.

As indicated generally above, features of my invention are alsoapplicable to double-ended analogies of so-called three-piece containerconstructions; such an arrangement is shown in Figs. 1l to 14. In thisarrangement, the doubleended carrier l5 of the previously describedarrangements may be utilized. The carrier l5 may be longitudinallyslidable within the .bore of an open-ended inner tubular member 10extending substantially the full length of the container. The othertubular member may be an outer casing 1I, also extending forsubstantially the full length of the container and rotatable relativelyto the inner tubular member 10.

Suitable cooperating means between the two tubular members 1li- 1I maybe provided for mutual retention against relative axial movement, and inthe form shown enlargements or bases 12-13 carried at the ends oftheinner tubular member 10 radially outwardly overlap parts of the ends ofthe outer tubular member or casing 1l. The enlarged end 12 carried bythe inner tubular member 15 may be integrally formed therewith, as shownin detail in Fig. 13, and I have formed a set of uniform peripheralflutings on the end 12, for a purpose to be explained; nevertheless, itwill be understood that a smooth axially retaining ledge may be definedat 15 for rotary sliding engagement with a rim including inwardlydirected parts, as at 15, at the upper end of the outer casing 1|. Atthe lower end of the inner tubular member 10, I prefer that theenlargement 13 be defined by a separate member to be assembled to thesmooth tubular end 15 of member 10 after assembly of the outer tubularmember 1l thereon. As in the case of the end 12, the end 13 may beformed with iiutings and with a radial ledge or shoulder 11 to provide asmooth bearing for the lower end or rim 18 of the outer tubular member1l. Inwardly depressed nibs 19 on the end member 13 may lock into slots85 upon assembly of the end member 13 to the inner tubular member 10, aswill be clear.

As in the case of the conventional singleended three-piece containerconstructions the inner tubular member 10 and the outer tubular member1l may each include means to cooperate with a cam follower or eyelet 22of the carrier I5 for longitudinal propulsion of the carrier uponrelative rotation of the tubular members 10-1. Such means may includerelatively diverging slots as in the case of the described four-piececonstructions, but in the form shown the cam means on the outer tubularmember 1| is an inwardly facing groove which, for appearances sake maybe one of a plurality of similar grooves or channels ill-82 angularlyspaced about the periphery of the outer tubular member ll. These outergrooves 81-32 may be spirally formed to cooperate with a straight slotin the inner tubular member l; but in the form shown the spiral cammeans is a spiral slot 83 on the inner tubular member l0, while thegrooves (including the ornamental grooves 8| and the cam groove 82) arestraight. As in the case of one of the cam slots of the describedfour-piece constructions, one of the cam means of the a1'- rangement ofFig. l1 may include opposed angular offsets at each end, as at 84 forthe ends of spiral slot 83, in order to hold the carrier l5 in aprojected position with a lipstick 85 extending out the open end of thecontainer.

It will be appreciated that, with the described construction, carrierpropulsion may be achieved upon grasping and upon relatively rotatingthe outer tubular member ll and one of the endmembers 'l2-i3 for theinner tubular member l0. In accordance with a feature of the inventionone `of the end members 'i2-i3 is effectively grasped by an engagementwith a placed closure cap S5, and the closure cap may include means suchas an angular discontinuity or, for appearances sake, a plurality offlutes 81 at the closed end, for angular locating engagement with one ofthe ends l2- 13. Thus, to operate the lipstick of Fig. l1 when only oneclosure cap 86 is in place, the closure cap itself may be grasped withone hand (e. g. with the right hand), and the exposed end of the outertubular member 'H may be grasped with the other hand. When thus grasped,a relative right-handed twist of the hands will propel the lipstick 85out the open end of the container, and a relative left-handed twist willretract the lipstick 85. It will be understood that if the closure means8B had been placed on the upper end of the container with the lower endopen so as to expose the lipstick V88 for proiection, then also bygrasping the closure cap 88 with the righthand and by grasping theexposed part of the outer tubular member 'll with the left hand, thesame respective relative rotations or twists of the hands may achievepropulsion and retraction of the lipstick 88 at the then-open lower endof the container.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, externally projectingmeans may be provided to assist in removing a particular closure capfrom the closed container so as to expose or open a desired single endof the container. For this purpose, a ring member 89 may be centrallylocated around the container and radially exposed outside the closurecap, as for a finger or ngernail engagement. The ring 89 need form nopart of the grasping or actuating means'for the propulsion mechanism,but it may present a pleasing appearance and may be anchored axially andangularly to the outer tubular member ll. As in the case 0f the ring 32for the previously described construction, the ring 89 may be a castplastic or a screw-machine metal part. The internal contour of the ringVB9 preferably closely conforms to the undulating or channelledperiphery of the outer tubular member 1l, so as to permit ready slidinginsertion thereover. Suitable aXial-locating nibs 9B may be formed outof the main tubular body of the outer tubular memn ber 'H for thepurpose of axially locating the ring 89.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, selectiveclogging means may be built into the three-piece construction of Fig. l1to achieve substantially the results of the abovedescribed four-piececonstructions. Such means may, for each end of the container, comprise alug 9l--92 struck out of the material of the outer tubular member 'H andnormally outwardly bent for easy sliding resilient interception of aplaced closure cap 85. If the lugs 9 l--92 are formed near the center ofthe container and in the cam groove 82, then the lugs 9|-92 may (wheninwardly actuated) directly dog a movement of the carrier l5 as byinterception of the eyelet 22. For the case depicted in Fig. 11, the lug92 is inwardly displaced to perform this function of intercepting thecarrier for all carrier positions lower than the center of thecontainer, and, since the lug 9| has been left free to assume its normaloutwardly displaced position, the carrier I5 will not be prevented frombeing propelled out the open end of the container. After the lipstickhas been fully retracted from such a propelled position, the lug 92 willserve to limit or to determine a bottom position of retraction, and anupper closure cap (similar to the closure cap 86) may be placed over theopen end of the container, thereby deforming the lug 9i inwardly andeffectively locking the carrier against projection of the lipstick 85.Thus, it will be clear that with both closure caps in place thecarrier-propulsion mechanism may be effectively dogged or neutralized.

Assembly rof the described container construction may involve thefollowing order of operations. First, the carrier tube I5 (without theeyelet 22) may be inserted in the tubular member l0. Second, the eyelet22 may be formed by drifting the same through the spiral slot 83 in theinner tubular member l0. Third, the outer tubular member 'H may beinserted over the small end of the inner tubular member 10, taking carethat the open end 94 of the straight groove 82 which is to be used forcam purposes is aligned with the eyelet 22. Fourth, the ring 89 may beslid over the outer tubular member ll via the small end of the innertubular member 'l0 and snapped into place by Vmeans of nibs 90. Fifth,the end member 13 may be locked in place over the small end of the innertubular member 10. Sixth, the carrier l5 may be propelled by relativerotation of the tubular members 'll-12 for extension to one end of thecontainer. Seventh, a closure cap 86 may be placed over the other end ofthe container. Eighth, the closure cap 85 and the exposed par-t of theouter tubular membel` 'H may be relatively rotated to retract thecarrier against the central stop determined by one of the lugs Ell-92.Ninth, the other closure cap may be placed over the remaining open endof the container.

It will be appreciated that I have described improved and relativelysimple swivel-type cosmetic or the like containers characterized by aselective double-ended operation and by employment of a commonpropulsion mechanism for both ends. My constructions feature a minimumof additional parts over those required for more or less conventionalsingle-ended containers, and forms analogous to present three-piece andfour-piece constructions may readily be made. All of my constructionsincorporate safety features to assure propulsion of a lipstick only outof a free or open end of the container, and it is notv possible todrive. a lipstick against a closed end of the container. Also, as afeature of my construction, therelative twist or thehandsimayI be thesame for lipstick propulsion no: matter which endof the container istobe used; even though cam-divergence isv continuous and inthe same.direction inA a propulsion mechanism common to both ends of thecontainer.

While I have described my invention in detail. for the preferred formsshown, it will be -understood that modiiications may be made within thescope of the invention as dened in the appended claims.

I claim:

1,'In a container of the character indicated; two relatively rotatableopen-smiledv generally tubular members, a carrier longitudinally movableWithin said members. a single propulsion system forvpropelling saidcarrier from oneend to the other of said members upon relative ro tationoi said members, closure means for selectively closing eachk open end oisaid container, means relatively rotating said members to propel saidcarrier only `out one end of said container externally accessible formanual ac tuation when only one end of said container is closed by saidclosure means, and the other means for relatively rotating said membersto propel said carrier only out ci said otherend of said container andexternally accessible for manual actuation when only said onel end oisaid container is closedv by said closure mea-ns.

2. In a container of the character indicated, tWo relatively rotatablelopen-endedv generally tubular members, a carrier, longitudinally movablewithin said members, a single propulsion system for propelling saidcarrier from" one end of said members to the other upon: relativerotation of said members, rst and second closure means for selectivelyclosing each open end of said container, means cooperating with saidfirst closure means upon closure oi one openend of said container forpreventing such relative rotation of said tubular members as will propela carrier-supported lipstick orthe like against said first closure meanswhile atthe same time relatively freely permitting such relativerotation oi said tubular members .as Will propel a1 carrier-supportedlipstick away v from' said nrst closure means, and means cooperatingwith said second closure means When'theother open end is closed forpreventing such relative rotation of said tubular members as will propela lipstick on said carrier against said second closure. means While atthe Sametime relatively freely permitting such relative rotation orsaidtubular members as will propel a carrier-supported lipstick awayfrom said second closure means;

3. In a container oi the character indica-ted; two relatively rotatableopen-'endedv generally tubular nfiernbers,V propulsion means on saidmembers and common to both ends oi saidcontainer, carrier longitudinallymovable by propulsion means and within-said members: upon relativerotation o said-'members said-car rier being retractedA from both saidendsv when in .'a longitudinally central position, separate closuremeans for selectively closing each of the open ends oi said container,and means separately cooperating with each said closure meamwhen bothsaid endshave been closedior e-iec` tively holding said carrier inretractedtposition intermediate said ends.A

4. in a container of thecharacterindicated; two relatively rotatableopen-ended generally tubular` members, continuous; propulsion-cam meansrunningv effectively from end. to; enduof samlfsfmembersy` a:carrier'flonfgitudinally movable within" said members and includingmeans' engagingV saidcams means for-propulsion of said carrier uponlrelativerotation of Vsaidv members,- a longitudinally centrally locatedexternally eX- posedfring non-,rotatively Vrelated to one of said`tubular members,- Whereby said ring may be a means for manual actuationofthe ,tubular-'membertowhich said vringvis non-'rotatively related; aremovable closure cap slidably4` receivable' over one open end of saidcontainerfor limiting abutment'vvith saidring, and radially movablemeanscarried; by one of said tubular members' and movably engageablewvithsaidaclosure cap uponplacement of the same, said last-dened'meanspreventingcarrier propulsion toward said cap after placement thereofWhile permitting carrier propulsion away fromv said' cap,

5; lnl al container'of the character` indicated, relatively rotatableopenendedV tubularY members, a carrier longitudinally movable Withinsaid` members uponV relativev rotation ofsaidmexnbers, means formed outof an outer memberandengageable with aclosurev cap upon placement of thecap over one open end of said' container, said mea-ns; being-.effectivewhile said one-endisclosed by thecaptoeprevent carrier propulsion in thedirection of the cap, said means being ineffective While Athe other endis open to prevent carrier-propulsion in the di'- rectionv of theVu-ncapned end:

6. In a container of the character indicated,` relatively rotatableopen-ended :tubular members,

carrier longitudinally;movablevvithin saidmember-s upon relativelrotation thereof, 'the-available pathoi movement of said'carrierextending from substantially one end toxsubstantially the otherend or said container, a movable dog carried by one-oi said membersand'projecting for intern ception bya ciosure cap upon placement of thesamel over an open end oi vsaid;container-,said dog' being movable whenso intercepted effectively to limit-the extent-o1" relativerotation ofsaidV membersI to an extent determiningy substantially one half the saidavailable pathof movement of said carrier; and' a secondmovable dogcarried' by one of said members and vpir-meeting for interceptionbya-closure can uponplacementoi the same over the-=opposite openendorsaid'contaner, said' second-mentioned dogbeing movable' when sointercepted effectively to iirnit the `extent of relative rotation ofsaid members to'v an extent determining' substantially the other half orsaid available path of movement.

7'. A container accord-ing towclaim 6, in which said carrier-includes: aradially extending foilower4 member",l With f propulsion means on'eachAor" said tubular .'members,` and inxvhich said: dog vis vmeved into:the"r pathof saidfol'l'ower member; upon interception by said cap.

8'.' In a container ofthe charactery indicated', relativelyrotatab-le'open-ended tubular members, aancarrier longitudinally movablewithin and for substantially the full length: of saidl members upontrell've rotation .thereofvover given range oi' relative-q angular'displacement;` first means including abutment movabiy responsive -toplacement ci" a closure canv ever one openend of said containerandectuable-toi determine a iirst permissibie^relativegangnlar.displacement of said members Withini said given range, further means-1inciudingan abutment moyably responsive'ftoplaceinent Yof cl'osiurezcapoverl the other ondate` said container: and actuable; to determine ansecond: relative', angela-1s` displacement of said members within saidgiven range, said first angular displacement and said second angulardisplacement being eiectively angularly oset from one another and withinsaid given range.

9. A container according to claim 8, in which said rst and said secondpermissible angular displacements effectively overlap for a relativeangular position of said members wherein said carrier is longitudinallyretracted from lboth ends of said container.

10. In a container of the character indicated, a carrier including a camfollower, an openended inner tubular member, a sleeve member outsidesaid inner tubular member, said members having relatively diverginggenerally longitudinally extending slots to cooperate with said carriercam follower for longitudinal propulsion of the carrier within saidinner tubular member, actuating means non-rotatably related to saidsleeve member and generally longitudinally centrally located forexternal manual access, and outer-casing means non-rotatably related tosaid inner tubular member and substantially encasing the otherwiseexposed portions of said Sleeve member, and separate dog means carriedat both ends by said outer casing means and cooperating with closure capmeans placed over the respective ends to limit carrier propulsion towardza closed end of said container, whereby lipstick or the like on saidcarrier may be propelled upon relative rotation of said manuallyaccessible means and of said outer-casing means only out an open end ofsaid container.

11. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatableopen-ended generally tubular members, :a carrier member longitudinallymovable within said members upon relative rotation thereof, a dogangularly retained by one of said tubular members and including a partprojecting for interception by a closure cap upon 'Y placement of theclosure cap over one end of said container, abutment means on another ofsaid members for interception by said dog and serving when so engaged tolimit the longitudinal propulsion of said carrier to a fraction of theotherwise available total longitudinal propulsion of said carrier, saiddog including means projecting for angular interlocking engagement witha discontinuity on the closure cap, whereby propulsion of said carrierto the extent represented by said fraction may be achieved upon manuallyoperated relative rotation of the closure cap and of the other of saidtubular members.

12. In a container of the character indicated, a carrier, an open-endedinner tubular member and an open-ended outer tubular member havingcooperating cam means to propel said carrier within said members toeither open end thereof, means at each end of said inner tubular memberfor relatively non-rotatable engagement with a closure cap placed overeach end of said container, whereby when a closure cap is placed overone end of said container said carrier may be propelled toward the otherend upon a manual grasping of the closure cap and of the exposed part ofthe outer tubular member, and separate rotationlimiting means at eachend of said container and including separate actuating elementsseparately engageable with closure caps placed over the respective endsof said container.

13. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatableopen-ended generally tubular members, a carrier longitudinally movablewithin said' members, carrier-propulsion means carried with said tubularmembers and common to both ends of said container, externally exposedmanually operable means for relative rotation of said members, a closurecap for each open end of said container, deformable means carried at oneend of said container and actuable upon placement of a closure cap oversaid one end to resist carrier` displacement to- Iward said one end, andfurther deformable means carried at the other end ci said container andactuable upon placement of a closure cap over said other end to resistcarrier displacement toward said other end.

le. A container according to claim 13, and including key meansnon-rotatably related to the inner of said tubular members and keyinglyengageable with a closure cap, whereby a selected one of said closurecaps may be utilized through said inner tubular member to drive saidcarrier toward an uncovered end of said container.

15. A container according to claim 13, and including key meansnon-rotatably related to the outer of said tubular members and keyinglyengageable with a closure cap, whereby a selected one of said closurecaps may be utilized through said outer tubular member to drive saidcarrier toward an uncovered end of said container.

16. In a container of the character indicated, two relatively rotatableopen-ended generally tubular members, a carrier member longitudinallymovable within said members, propulsion means on said members for saidcarrier member and common to both ends of said container, generallytubular closure caps fitting over the open ends of said container, iirstdog means coacting,T between one of said caps and one of said membersfor limiting carrier propulsion in the direction toward the end closedby said one cap, and second dog means coacting between the other of saidcaps and one of said members for limiting carrier propulsion toward theend closed by said other cap.

17. A container according to claim 16, in which said dog means areseparately and integrally formed out of the tubular member adjacent eachcap, and in which said caps are free-swiveling on said container.

18. A container according to claim 16, in which said dog means areseparately and integrally formed out of the tubular member adjacent eachcap, and in which said caps non-rotatably engage said dog means.

19. In a container of the character indicated. two relatively rotatablesleeves open at both ends and including means retaining the same againstaxial separation, a carrier within the inner sleeve. carrier-propulsionmeans common to both ends of said container and including an externallyprojecting elongated rib on the outer sleeve, said rib dening aninwardly open cam slot, camfollower means in said slot, and twooutwardly deformed inwardly movable lugs carried by said rib, each lugbeing in inwardly deformed intercepting relation with said cam-followermeans when a closure cap is placed over an end of said container.

20. A container according to claim 19, in which said lugs are centrallylocated along said container and are axially spaced substantially theaxial thickness of said cam-follower means, whereby said carrier may becentrally retained when both ends of the container are closed by closurecaps.

21. A container according to claim 4, in which said outer memberincludes key means for non- 17 rotating engagement with said closure capwhen placed over said outer member, whereby With said closure cap oversaid outer member at one end of said container and with the other end ofsaid container open said carrier may be propelled upon manually actuatedrelative rotation of said closure cap and of said ring.

ROBERT B. HOPGOOD.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,054,229 Methven Feb. 25, 1913 1,732,875 Anderson Oct. 22,1929 1,909,988 Vogel May 23, 1933 Number Number

